Macron invites Indians to visit France for major events: ‘You are welcome, our friends!’

French President Emmanuel Macron was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi.

Published on: Jan 27, 2024, 06:09:23 IST

By HT News Desk

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French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday thanked India for its warm welcome during his visit as the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations. He also invited the people of India to visit France for a host of major events this year, including the Summer Olympics starting July 26.

French President Emmanuel Macron with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Thank you, India, for your warm welcome in Jaïpur and Delhi,” Macron said in a social media post.

“France will welcome the whole world this year with the commemoration of the Second World war, the Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris and the Francophonie summit. You are welcome, our friends!” he added.

On Friday evening, Macron along with external affairs minister S Jaishankar visited Delhi's Dargah Nizamuddin Aulia, the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia. He reached the centuries-old shrine, the nerve centre of Sufi culture in India, at 9.45 pm and remained there for more than half an hour, reported PTI quoting officials.

Videos of his visit to the Dargah were widely shared on social media.

Macron was the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations at Delhi's Kartavya Path.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu received her French counterpart Macron at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour.

Welcoming President Macron, she said the leaders of the two countries being guests of honour in each other's successive National Day parade and celebrations, is a historic moment, and "a symbol of the depth of our friendship and the strength of our partnership".

During his visit to Jaipur, Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed bilateral ties and pressing global issues wherein they expressed "grave concerns" at the possibility of further expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, including in the Red Sea.

A joint statement issued late on Friday night said the two leaders called for upholding the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and underlined the need for respecting the international law of the sea.

"They (Modi and Macron) recalled the utmost importance of upholding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and of respecting the international law of the sea," the statement said.

"They had detailed conversation aimed at coordinating their efforts in that region in this regard," it added.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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